Decorating

I really enjoy looking at the decorating styles of several different bloggers in Europe.  You can find these blogs in my Favorite's Section on my sidebar.  One blog in particular has inspired me to look for galvanized containers to use in decorating. I love how she uses twine and old fashioned items that are really simple.  I have added some of her tecniques to my own deocrating that I thought I would share with you.

Wilderness Walk 2010

Every year, at the end of the school year, our Sixth Graders head to David Crockett State Park for the Soil Conservtion's Wilderness Walk.  This year they were treated to a show by the park ranger featuring various animals.

A turtle...

A snake...

And a beautiful owl...

The kids all love it when the park ranger does her famous owl calls.

This is always a wonderful field trip, with the kids learning about conserving our natural environment.  Their favorite part is getting to actually get in the creek with nets to try and catch whatever they can find.

I definitely felt my age on this day.  The park ranger, soil conservation leader, and one of the other Sixth Grade teachers were all former students of mine. 

Blackberries

Have you ever picked wild blackberries?
I went blackberry picking last week.
It was a wonderful feeling.
The smell of the woods.
The nicking of the blackberry vines.
The heat of the day.
The juice of the berries.
Stink bugs on the leaves.

There are feelings and memories that flood me when I pick blackberries.

I remember one year when I was a teenager, a neighbor of ours had some bulldozing done on his property.  The trees and such were pushed up into long rows of brush.  These huge piles of brush were covered with blackberry vines.  My parents and I would put on long sleeve shirts, hats, and jeans and pick blackberries to sell by the gallon.  It was so hot....it was so snakey...I hated it.  But, the blackberries sold for a nice price.

Now, I pick blackberries because I want to.  Go figure.  And I love the effort it takes, because that just makes the cobbler taste that much better.

A little butter...

A little ice cream...

Now, I don't even notice the scratches on my arms.

Chicken Pot Pie

If you asked me how many times I have made this...I would have no way to tell you.  It is the easiest, yummiest main dish and goes great served with other vegetables.  I actually got this recipe from a friend who brought lunch to me when my Sixteen year old was born.  So, I have used it and shared it for several years.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Spray a casserole dish with pam.

Then:

Mix:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick melted margarine or butter
1 can Veg-All (drain water)
2 small cans chicken or 1 large can chicken (drain water)
Pour in casserole dish.

Mix with a wire whisk:
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup milk.

Pour over top of casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until brown.


Enjoy!!!

I Saw God Today

More pictures from my "Sewing Sister's Garden"!!!  (The garden you saw in the last post...and yes, there was just a "little" help in the vegetable garden from my Sewing Sister's Husband.)

Beautiful Day!!!

Beautiful Zinnias!!!

Vegetable Garden

My Sewing Sister is away this week visiting with her sons and their families in Minnesota.  Last Wednesday, we met for our weekly Sister Luncheon without her...but she wasn't forgotten...oh no, mostly because we were eating the vegetables from her beautiful garden.

She gave us permission to glean her garden while she is away, and glean we did.  We had a delicious lunch of fresh corn on the cob, fried squash, and fresh green beans.  It was so, so, good. 

We missed her, but highly doubt she even thought about us.  Mostly because she has been spending some much needed quality time with her grandchildren.  

Beautiful garden, Sewing Sister!

 

Sunday Fun Read

Today's Sunday Fun Read is in honor of the celebration of our July 4th holiday.

We have had a great day filled with smoked pork, corn on the cob, baked beans, slaw, and homemade ice cream.  We also have enjoyed our share of fireworks this Fourth of July weekend.

The book I am recommending today would make a good summer read.  It is enjoyed more by girls than boys.

Journey to America by Sonia Levitin is the story of a teen girl named Lisa.  She and her family are Jews living in Germany at the start of the Holocaust.  When her father senses trouble, he journeys to America alone to find a new life for the family. 

The book is the story of Lisa and the rest of her family trying to make the trip.  Along the way, Lisa is separated from the rest of the family.

My Sixth Grade girls really enjoy this book.

Happy Reading and Happy 4th!